Silk an ideal natural baselayer fabric says Kiwi company Silkbody.
There's a new natural baselayer fabric option out in the form of
silk-based clothing from
New Zealand brand
Silkbody.
Silk has a lot of desirable natural qualities - it feels, well, silky
against the skin because the fibres are so fine, it can absorb one
third of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp, it's a
natural insulator, is resistant to bacteria, so resists odours and is
both strong and elastic. It also works well across a range of
temperatures in our experience, feels warm in winter and cool in hot
conditions, which is a good trick.
It's nothing new mind, George Mallory used silk baselayer on his
attempt on Everest in 1924 and modern climbers using his
combination
of natural fibres were impressed by the
lightness and mobility of the system and the way layers slide over silk
in particular.
Silkbody uses silk in a range of outdoors and travel clothing including
baselayers, socks and hats. Some of the products are 100% pure silk,
but the brand also uses a 'Silkspun' material which is a mixture of 72%
silk, 13% merino and 15% cotton.
There is a down side, silk is expensive to produce, so a Silkspun
Zip-Neck long-sleeve baselayer in a lightweight knit retails for
£65.95, which is on a par with top-end merino wool.
The Silkbody range also includes sleeping bag liners and having used
silk/cotton liners in the past, we reckon they'll be both functional,
light and very comfortable. Prices for liners is £35.95.
You'll be glad to know that both clothing and liners comes in a range
of colours, so not pale natural silk, but blues and blacks
and red and even orange.
More information at
www.silkbody.co.nz
and you can buy the full range from
www.actionoutdoors.co.uk.
